Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Tell me a little bit about yourself, about your life? Where did you go to school, and what classes did you study? What helped prepare you to become the artist that you are today?

Hi there! The name’s FoxElie17, actually, it’s just my sort-of alias’ name in order to protect my identity (though some noticed me easily…) away from danger. Aww, just kidding. Actually, right now I’m currently a BSCS (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science) student studying in Xavier University located in Cagayan de Oro city.

And on the sad note, I’m having an unexplainable “pain” (one time, the doctor stated it’s CTS, but not in the critical condition yet) towards my hands, but in a good way, I’m glad that I’m able to do the things I do right now.

Also, what helped me prepare (to be the artist I am today) are the guidance and mentorship of some my friends both online and offline.

What inspired or convinced you to become an Artist?

All I can say ever since my younger years what inspired me to draw were the cartoons I’ve watched. That’s what convinced me to draw at first, from “horse-like stick people” (a term I came up when I saw my first doodles) to anthropomorphic characters (dogs, cats and dinosaurs).

And around that time, I was introduced in the world of anime, or when Ghost Fighter (the first anime I’ve watched) came out, that’s when I developed my anime/manga skills. Interestingly, all in all, these inspired me as an artist.

What is a typical day for you, and who are the people you work with?

Well, nice question. My typical day is during no class days, I usually spend time checking in my family’s computer, doing drawings in Photoshop, doing commissions and art trades and somehow managing to update my “art site” accounts after. Whew. But I also spend time in SM (sometimes weekly) to see one of my favorite “tambayan” there - Toy Kingdom - where I need to see the Transformers, if you know what I mean like LOL.

And people whom I worked with? Uh, all the people I know are from my university’s art club, that’s all.

What are some of the things that you have worked on?

If there’s one thing I could say that I actually worked on would be one of my “mini-projects”. But the sad thing is, they later turned to (deviantart) scrap for the meantime. Because of my heavy schoolwork, I didn’t have time to polish them. I mean, that usually happens a lot for me.

How do you go about illustration, what goes through your mind, from start to end?

When it comes to illustration, I have to start by “brainstorming”. If I skip this process, I’ll end up tearing up the paper I’m sketching on. And after that the process of converting my generated ideas, where I start sketching every line and curve based on how I feel about it. While the rest goes to careful handling of the inking and refining in the end (when it comes to inking I really do it in a careful and slow way).

Could you talk about your process in coloring your art (if at all), as well as the types of tools or media that you use?

So it’s about my process of coloring this time? I don’t know how to say it but it’s somewhat unique to me. Of course, you have to start coloring the bases first (for the meantime, I’m actually referring to the use of Photoshop) then after you have to add some shading and highlights (one of my favourite part in coloring, coz they give so much life, hehehe).

And the last is retouching but before that, I also make sure that I have enough layers to handle (and I do it manually on each layer as much as I could, like putting some dodge in each and selecting the area). No matter how many layers there are, they’re of great importance to finish up my work.

What are some of the things that you do to keep yourself creative?

Hmmmm... This is quiet complicated for me to explain, I also have this habit of looking at someone’s work and then I begai to draw it out. Literally, not copying, whenever I look at an artwork of my favorite manga artist, that’s what makes me go. And then to make it creative, I do my best to express “dynamic” expressions towards my arts or whatever the heck I’m talking about. =w=;;

What is your most favorite subject to draw, And why?

Currently now, it’s Transformers, it’s gotta be Transformers and lotsa sci-fi stuff dealing with giant robots. Aww, really, but I also liked doing some “moe” style art in either mecha or human. X3

Basta, all I want is shiny stuff!!! XD Ehem, why I like it, well, I just like it whenever I express myself, like making a Transformer fellow so “moe”. That is what I’m digging. Oops, sorry my bad, guess I don’t have any idea of what I’m talking about in here. LOL

Who are the top illustrators whose works excite you the most?

Oh man, there so many to mention them but all I know that what inspired me to draw moe style girls, is if weren’t for Koge-Donbo (creator of Digi Charat and Pita-ten, I just love her works so much!!!). Then when it comes to robots and mecha stuff, I instantly fell in love with the Virtual On’s dynamic robot designs done by Hajime Katoki (until I noticed he worked for the Gundam franchise). For now, I guess these are the artists I know a lot about. =w=;;

What are some of the neat things you have learned from other artists that you have worked with or seen?

Of what I’ve seen from them, they give a good amount of effort towards their works. Come to think of it, it’s one of the most important aspects of every artist, but one thing's for sure, I always end up not being able to exert it though. XD

Another aspect I’ve seen is how the artist puts some “emotion” towards his/her work, in which I also apply that too, in my life. I guess, you can say that every artist’s work has a hidden feeling towards it. :D

What are some of your favorite websites that you go to?

One of my favorite websites I usually surf the most are the following: Aethereality.net and E-Shuushuu. These are my favorite websites when I browse nifty and some gorgeous “moe” girls. (Pardon me for saying the word “moe” a lot XD) And they become my source of references too, y’know. ;3 And another, is DeviantArt. Well, it’s one of the websites that I always browse, where I can check deviations, chat friends, submit artworks, etc. And lastly, one of those Transformers-related sites.

What wisdom could you give us, about being an Artist? Do you have any tips you could give?

Ehh???? Now that’s one thing I don’t know how to say. XD Well, all I know that being an artist, you gotta have some inspiration (like I used to have from others . When you begin to explore more about your talent just by being inquisitive, your kind of potential will manifest from it (eh, got it???) And plus, you can learn from others (take for example, “How to Draw” books)as well. That’s where I also developed my skills as an anime artist.

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Well, they can either note me in DeviantArt or probably under my e-mail address, remaileen_roca[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Finally, do you have any of your art work for sale (sketchbook, prints, or anything) for fans of your work can know where and when to buy it?

Oh… Nothing at all, I guess. But remember what I’ve said previously? The one about my “mini-projects” turned into scrap? That’s what I was thinking about all the time in my life, if I have enough funds for it… Though I also had no idea what to do with DA’s print system currently…=3=

Thanks!

Hehe, Thanks for the feature! I do have a fun time answering one of the questions! XD Well, that’s it for now, and God bless! And also, Mabuhay!!! ^O^/

If you could transform, like a Transformer, into any machine what would you be and why?

One thing for sure, this is probably the most interesting (but somewhat complicated though LOL) question ever, but anyhoo, to the answer!

My choice would be of a land-type vehicle and let's picture it out as a Mazda model type of car of sorts. XD Why I chose to be of that alt mode (I'm sure you know it!), is quiet simple; All I want is to be open-minded towards the environment I have around where I can explore everywhere in a freely way of manner.

Additionally, it's best to be responsible towards traffic rules out there 'cause well, it's one of the important aspect I have to undergo as a car-type alt mode.

And if you're wondering why I chose this instead of an aircraft type where you can freely fly everywhere you ever wanted, but for me, it can be a hindrance. If I was meant to fly, there's no way this has some great aspect to me. I mean, still it's like exploring out there but whatever will happen if I fall down, and then can't get up? And what will happen to my seeking in life and how will I continue it? I hope you got my point, 'cause let's just say I'm an Icarus-portrayed Transformer who was once a Decepticon but later joined the Autobots choosing a form that which best suits me and what is right for my path I am creating.

This is something to contrast my life as well, where situations get worse when I handle it until I notice that finding what is right for me and my so-called "future" are something I have to make.

So there you go, me being a Transformer who chose to be a car alt mode instead XD. I mean, I did had a good time answering this despite how long and somewhat meaningful it is. XD So yeah, really, life can be like this right? Oh well, just make sure of choosing your path in a careful manner and you'll see what's best that makes your life easy and stable. ;3

We're on Facebook

Keep in touch with featured Pinoy manga artists and help us find more to feature!

Subscribe to Itsura Manga

Subscribing to ANY blog allows you to receive new blog posts directly into your yahoo, google, (or other) service.
There will be no need to visit the blog just to see whether or not there's something new! So, subscribe today!